If Acosta gets DFA'd, the Mets would consider calling up RHP Jeremy Hefner and LHP Garrett Olson. RHP Fernando Cabrera has pitched the best out of everybody, notching 9 saves and holding a 2-1 record with a 2.45 ERA, striking out 14 in 18 1/3 IP. LHP Josh Edgin is the longterm solution in the Mets bullpen, but he is pitching to a 6.97 ERA at Buffalo.
Matt Harvey has gone on a roll over the past couple of weeks. He is currently 4-1 with a 4.31 ERA. He now has 49 strikeouts in 48 IP over his 9 starts. Ultimately, he will have a spot in the Mets rotation, and with Chris Young expected to get the spot currently held by Batista, Harvey may squeeze out 2011 surprise Dillon Gee. Gee has to pitch better than he has over the past month. Though fans like his "guts" on the mound, and his ability to be able to get into the 6th or 7th innings when he is at his worst, his command has been terrible this year. And we all know that barring injury, Johan Santana, RA Dickey and Jonathon Niese are staying in the rotation.
I predict that after the All Star break, the Mets rotation will be Santana, Dickey, Niese, Young and Harvey and stay that way for the rest of the season. Gee may be sent to the minors, since he has options, but also may stick around in the bullpen. Acosta and eventually Batista will be outrighted to AAA with Carrasco.
I see Jon Rauch getting the bulk of the closer responsibilities during the second half of the season with Bobby Parnell pitching the 8th inning with some help from Tim Byrdak. Frank Francisco will pitch in some capacity, and if he does not improve at all, he gets mop up duty. Edgin will be a fixture of the bullpen sometime after the ASB, with the final two bullpen spots going to the best combination of Robert Carson, Batista, Gee and Cabrera. I wild card would be Jennry Mejia, who could have a major role in the bullpen if he is healthy. Mejia could make the other four pitchers and perhaps RHP Pedro Beato, all fighting for one spot.
Edgin and Mejia (if he is ready) would give the bullpen a new identity. This pitching staff will be turned upside down by the end of the season, hopefully at some point, a mixture of pitchers will get the results that us Mets fans seem to never get.